Programmes

Below follows a description of what programmes are, what types of programmes there are, who is required to submit programmes and what programmes should look like.

A programme specifies the hourly predictions of the gas flows for each portfolio for the following gas day. We use the programmes, among other things, to calculate the space in the zones. Every day, before 14:00 hours, all shippers must submit a programme for the next day. The programmes are submitted to us for each portfolio.

We check whether the programmes are correct (see below) and inform the shippers of the result. The deadline for this process is 22:00 hours (day ahead).

VPPV: transfer of programme responsibility in our network

The virtual point for the transfer of programme responsibility is the VPPV. The VPPV is a virtual point all the gas in the system will flow through.

As laid down in the Dutch Gas Act, the VPPV facilitates the transfer of programme responsibility. The VPPV is a combination of the trades on the TTF plus the transfer of a shipper’s own entry programme to its own exit programme.

System diagram showing entries, exits and VPPV.

Entry programme

In an entry programme, the shipper specifies the total volume of physical entry for the specific portfolio for each hour (sum of MP1 and MP2 in Figure 1). Furthermore, the shipper specifies the volume of gas for each hour and for each counterparty in respect of which programme responsibility is transferred to the VPPV.

Exit programme

In an exit programme, the shipper specifies the total volume of physical exit for the specific portfolio for each hour (MP3 plus MP4 in Figure 1) distributed over two exit flows: The exit flow for household customers and the exit flow for other customers. Furthermore, the shipper specifies the gas volume for each hour and for each counterparty in respect of which programme responsibility is transferred to the VPPV. A shipper with small-scale users in its portfolio must apply the damping formula. A shipper without small -scale users in its portfolio may apply the damping formula in its exit programme if he has indicated this in advance.

Shippers can add their trade transactions to the entry and exit programmes; There is no need to supply separate programmes. When a shipper applies damping, it is advisable to add the trade transactions to the entry programme.

Trade programme

Pure traders (i.e. parties who solely trade on the TTF) must submit a trade programme without physical entry or exit. The programme specifies the traded volume for each hour and for each counterparty.

When a trade is agreed upon between parties, the parties should also discuss when they will include the trade transaction in the programme. Our guideline is that transactions concluded before 21:00 hours are to be included in the programme. This gives both parties sufficient time (before the closing time at 22:00 hours) to include the transaction.

Of course, trading can still continue on the TTF after the 22:00 hours deadline for submission of programmes; This also applies to renominations at entry and exit points.

Damping in exit programmes

The damping formula is only applied to exit programmes. The damping formula ensures that for each hour, the combination of entry and exit matches the physical conditions of the gas transport network. Every day, before 09:00 hours, we publish the parameters of the damping formula for the next day. The damping formula is described in detail on our website.

Programme checks

In order to ensure that the national gas transport network is balanced over the next gas day, we also check whether the transfers on the VPPV are compatible as regards the counterparty, volume, time period and direction. For entry, trade and exit programmes without damping, we will check if the entry and exit amounts are equal for each hour. For exit programmes with damping, we will check if the formula has been correctly applied. If a programme is not correct, we will report this and apply certain corrective actions. Parties may still send in amended programmes up to the closing time of 22:00 hours.

Examples of programmes (*.xls files) and an explanation of their key characteristics (*.ppt files) can be found in the following files.